The U.S. Forest Service has proposed charging media for still photography and commercial filming on National Forest System lands. The proposal is currently under a public comment period that ends on Nov. 3.
"Under rules being finalized in November, a reporter who met a biologist, wildlife advocate or whistleblower alleging neglect in any of the nation's 100 million acres of wilderness would first need special approval to shoot photos or videos even on an iPhone," Rob Davis reports for The Oregonian. "Permits cost up to $1,500, says Forest Service spokesman Larry Chambers, and reporters who don't get a permit could face fines up to $1,000."
The proposed rules are drawing criticism from First Amendment advocates, who "say the rules ignore press freedoms and are so vague they'd allow the Forest Service to grant permits only to favored reporters shooting videos for positive stories," Davis writes. Gregg Leslie, legal defense director at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Alexandria, Va., told Davis, "It's pretty clearly unconstitutional. They would have to show an important need to justify these limits, and they just can't." (Read more)
"Under rules being finalized in November, a reporter who met a biologist, wildlife advocate or whistleblower alleging neglect in any of the nation's 100 million acres of wilderness would first need special approval to shoot photos or videos even on an iPhone," Rob Davis reports for The Oregonian. "Permits cost up to $1,500, says Forest Service spokesman Larry Chambers, and reporters who don't get a permit could face fines up to $1,000."
The proposed rules are drawing criticism from First Amendment advocates, who "say the rules ignore press freedoms and are so vague they'd allow the Forest Service to grant permits only to favored reporters shooting videos for positive stories," Davis writes. Gregg Leslie, legal defense director at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Alexandria, Va., told Davis, "It's pretty clearly unconstitutional. They would have to show an important need to justify these limits, and they just can't." (Read more)
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